Asenapine and Irritability: What Users Say

• Fin...
• September 11, 2017

Asenapine for Bipolar Disorder "Amazing drug when combined with Lexapro (for my depressive side). To say it has changed my life, saved my marriage, and made me a better father is a sheer undersell of this medicine. I'm bipolar 2 with mixed episodes (dysphoric). I'm no longer filled with rage over nothing, irritable, or depressed. It has thus far been the magic bullet for me, after trying about 6 other combinations. It's allowing me to be present in my own life without constantly overthinking or having racing and repeating thoughts. Having a clear mind is allowing me the freedom to be the man I always knew I was. There's a lot of horror stories on here, but just remember when you find the right medication. It's worth it."

• sou...
• November 26, 2015

Asenapine for Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder a month ago, previously bipolar 1 with mixed episodes. Saphris changed my life for the better in so many ways. It helped cut down the agitation and anger associated with the mixed episodes almost right away. The paranoia still bites me every once in a while, but it has been majorly decreased, as well as the hallucinations and delusions that were plaguing me continuously. I sleep so well and don't have the medication hangover that risperidone was giving me at the dose I required. I started at 5 mg and am now at 20 mg at bedtime, and it's working great. Hope the best to all who are trying to get the right med combo!"

• Anonymous
• September 8, 2011

Asenapine for Bipolar Disorder "I have tried everything under the sun for depression and anxiety over the past 15 years. Saphris is an amazing medicine. I take the black cherry flavor, which does not taste horrible, but is good (the other flavor does taste horrible, though), and I feel like my depression has been majorly lifted, my manic episodes and irritability have decreased greatly, and I am doing things in life that are productive for the first time in years and years. I must say I must also take Lamictal, though, as without that the mania goes out of control even with Saphris. But together, excellent combination."

• ky1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2019

Asenapine for Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed asenapine 5 mg 2x/day. Was assured by my psychiatrist that it would only make me mildly drowsy. The very first dose hit me hard. Within 40 minutes, I was nodding off while trying to talk to people. I slept for ten hours after that. Side note, medications don't typically affect me like that! This made me scared to keep taking it at all, but my psychiatrist said I could just take it at night and see how it went. Over the course of a month, I began feeling extremely agitated (like a mixed episode but worse), and it put me in a dark place. Looking back, I'm honestly surprised that I didn't attempt suicide, that's how bad things got. I'm glad to see that this works for so many, but it's 100% a no from me. For those worried about the taste, it isn't good, but I got used to it after the first dose. It does make your tongue numb, which lasted about an hour for me, but I think it's definitely something you can get used to. I'm quite sensitive to taste and have a sensitive gag reflex, but that aspect was tolerable."

• 831...
• November 30, 2016

Asenapine for Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking this med for years, and I feel trapped. I don't think it really does anything for me. The problem is that I tried to stop taking it, and I became completely useless, tired, irritable, and full of anxiety. Right now, I have not taken it for two days because I forgot it before I went out of town. I am tired, got insomnia, and I feel like I am hung over and nauseous. The withdrawals from taking this medication are awful. So, I think anyone that wants to start this med should seriously consider this when making a decision to ingest this. I am not the only one who has experienced this. There is a lot about withdrawing from this med on the net."

• nov...
• December 26, 2010

Asenapine for Schizoaffective Disorder "After going through another 23 drugs in the past six years, Saphris seems to be the one medicine that helps. I took the chance of taking this medication without Cogentin to see what the side effects would be, and what I experienced was some restlessness in feeling that I needed to pace the floor, as well as agitation. Taking this medication with Cogentin has rid the restlessness entirely. Saphris has calmed some of my mood swings and response to negativity from others. As for the schizophrenic side, it has kept the paranoia at bay."

• Bip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2016

Asenapine for Bipolar Disorder "I was put on 2.5 mg every night of Saphris, about 2 weeks ago. It has been utter hell for me. Not only did it make my tactile hallucinations worse, it caused more problems than before. I've had to go to the ER. I'm more agitated than before. I'm bipolar. Isn't this a bipolar med? I'm not schizophrenic. And what's worse is that even though I'm on the lowest possible dose and only taking once a day, after stopping it I'm still getting withdrawal symptoms! And not small ones. Like I said before, I had to go to the ER. I'm drinking a lot of water, but I still had an extremely low amount of electrolytes. I ended up using two full bags of fluid. This drug is not safe. It does more harm than good."

• bpd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2018

Asenapine for Bipolar Disorder "Saphris was the first drug I tried to treat my Bipolar II. The main reason for it was that weight gain was a big fear for me, and I was not willing to jump into any medications that were not weight-neutral. Saphris was weight neutral, but it definitely did not work for me. I took it at night, and some nights I would pass out to sleep, and others I would sit up awake in my bed, feeling like I had no control over my own body. During the day, I had an edgy/off feeling like I was coming off a recreational drug. For an hour or two, I felt at peace, but that would not last. Definitely not a good fit for me."

• JMS...
• July 18, 2016

Asenapine for Bipolar Disorder "Taken by a teen with schizoaffective disorder. 5 mg didn't work so well, gradually increased to 15 mg, and then the medication worked wonders. Happy, stable mood, very little side effects after three months. Diminished irritability and aggression. More friendly and overall happier."

• jma...
• January 3, 2013

Asenapine for Schizoaffective Disorder "I've been taking Saphris, and it puts me to sleep. I've been taking it for almost 2 months. The only problems I have on it are that I have an extreme drop in blood pressure, becoming very dizzy, easily agitated, plus suicidal thoughts. It's a good sleep medicine, though. I've been sleep deprived for several months, and since I've been on this medicine, I've been getting the proper rest that I need. Other than that, I've been okay on taking Saphris."

• Anonymous
• February 4, 2011

Asenapine for Bipolar Disorder "Just started taking this today after a week of irritability and either wanting to sleep all day or not sleeping at all. Horrible taste, but I like the idea of a sweet tart with it. As soon as I took it, my tongue went numb and I felt very loopy as well. I fell asleep within an hour but only slept about two hours, and I feel better already. I have tried a lot of medicines myself and am hoping that this is the one. The only thing I am worried about is weight gain, but I am going to cross my fingers that with a healthy diet and hopefully some energy (I haven't felt like doing anything at all), I will be able to control it. Will definitely update in a week or two to advise on how things are going."

• lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2023

Asenapine for Bipolar Disorder "I have tried Vraylar, Abilify, Geodon, Seroquel, and Latuda before this. Each of them either just did not work or threw me into a mixed episode or gave me more impulsivity, irritability, or an allergic reaction. Saphris is working. I take 5 mg at night and 2.5 mg early afternoon. I sleep better, and it's not hard to wake up in the morning. I noticed a more even mood, less depression, less irritability, and less impulsivity. I pray it continues to work so well. It's a miracle after a week of use. No weight gain so far."

• bip...
• December 19, 2015

Asenapine for Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with Bipolar II (with very few manifestations of depression), so mostly problems with mania. I started on 5 mg at night for a week, then went up to morning and night doses of 5 mg. I did that for 2 days, as the daytime doses made me feel restless, uncomfortable, edgy, weird, and sedated. I couldn't stand it and would count down the time before it would wear off. Then I tried taking 10 mg at night, but then I couldn't sleep. I would wake up exhausted for the 4th time in a night. Went back to just 5 mg at night, and this had little to no effect. I worried about weight gain, but I lost weight-helped that I was extra cautious about what I ate. If 'increased appetite' is listed, I take extra measures with exercise and diet to stay healthy."

• man...
• November 24, 2011

Asenapine for Bipolar Disorder "Have been on Saphris for five weeks now. Agitation has stopped, no more headaches, and the racing thoughts have stopped as well. Still hypomanic and cycling, but mood has improved and less anxiety. Very glad to be on it."

• Att...
• August 9, 2010

Asenapine "I have been on this medicine for almost 2 months now. It has helped a little with anxiety but not as much as Clonazepam. I am now on 15 mg of Saphris, 5 mg in the morning and 10 mg at night. It messes with my sleep, with agitation to the point where sometimes it hurts. It is also very expensive for someone without insurance of some kind. Also, a trick I used for the horrible taste is Crystal Light powder by sprinkling it on my tongue when I take the medicine."

• Wak...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 2, 2021

Asenapine for Bipolar Disorder "My daughter has Down syndrome and ASD starting age 9. She regressed drastically till 16. Developed severe behaviors 2 years ago, combative, ODD, hallucinations, moods changed rapidly. Her psychiatrist put her on numerous meds, things got better but back to severe behaviors. Saphris 2.5 mg in the am. Hallucinations stopped and anger/aggression, plus she actually slept at night (before, she'd be up 2-3 nights straight). She's now on 2.5 mg am, 5 mg bedtime. Bedtime is great, 30 minutes after the dose, she's asleep all night. She still has obsessive food issues. My big issue now is after taking her day dose, she gets highly agitated and often anger starts. I also noticed tardive dyskinesia, where her mouth keeps opening and closing rapidly, only at night. I'm not sure if she needs to up her dose in the am or add a drug. We are discussing this at the doctor appointment. Overall, she's happier, never wakes groggy, sleeps at night."

• Anonymous
• January 10, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "This medicine would make me very agitated physically before sleep. It also would make me angry during the day for no reason, and I'd randomly get depressed or frustrated and cry even when unprovoked. Usually, I can look past irritating side effects if the drug is helping, but it didn't at all anyway."

• Anonymous
• January 10, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "This medicine would make me very agitated physically before sleep. It also would make me angry during the day for no reason, and I'd randomly get depressed or frustrated and cry even when unprovoked. Usually, I can look past irritating side effects if the drug is helping, but it didn't at all anyway."

• Ann...
• January 24, 2016

Asenapine for Bipolar Disorder "I am reviewing the drug Saphris. I've been depressed and have a sugar addiction all of my life and am now 60. First, I was diagnosed with Dysthymic Disorder, then PTSD, Major Recurrent Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar 2. I currently take Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, and half mg Klonopin for sleep at bedtime. I have a binge eating disorder. Currently, I've been in a long episode of depression and anxiety. I have anger and rage issues. After WLS-weight loss surgery-in 2013, the anger and rage came forward. This is very distressing for me. I rarely have a rage incident, but since the WLS, I feel on edge, irritable most of the time, and lash out easily. I've heard wonderful things about Saphris and wonder if it might help me."

• Dis...
• June 23, 2011

Asenapine for Bipolar Disorder "Have had 8-pound weight gain, agitation has increased, depression is coming back."

• Anonymous
• November 20, 2011

Asenapine for Bipolar Disorder "My depression is worse. I can't sleep at night. I'm having nightmares. I'm off my food, and my agitation is bad. I'm getting headaches."